Trouble Brewing In Imo As Pro-Owerri Zone Governorship Groups Accuse Uzodimma Of Destroying Their Billboards

A group under the aegis of “The Coalition Of Owerri Reawakening” has raised alarm over Governor Hope Uzodimma’s alleged directive to destroy their billboards.

The group Expressed their grouse in a statement Chief Martin Opara who signed for Egbu Declaration Mandate.

The Coalition had gathered in remembrance of the anniversary of the declaration of Owerri people to produce the governor of the state, which they achieved but botched by the ruling of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The Coalition insists that there is no going back in making real their ambition to for once produce a governor of the state.

Following the alleged wanton destruction of their billboards appealing to the conscience of the Imo people of the need to enthrone equity, justice and fairness, the Coalition has accused Uzodimma of braze desperation and use of crude force to shut the zone up in their agitation.

The statement reads:

EGBU DECLARATION MANDATE
170 Douglas Road, Owerri.

21 November, 2021.

Press Release

Danger looms in Imo

… as Gov. Uzodinma resorts to crude politics, desperate intimidation and threat to Imolites

The Coalition for Owerri Reawakening, an assemblage of sociocultural groups in Owerri zone, Imo State wishes to alert the general public of the brazen display of desperate and crude force by Gov. Hope Uzodinma through the Imo State Signage and Advertisements Agency, IMSAA, by dismantling all billboards mounted by our coalition, a non partisan sociocultural assemblage committed to the restoration of equity, fairness and good governance in Imo State.

We invite civil society organizations, media, Nigeria Bar Association and all lovers of democracy to note that the publicity signage being pulled down by Governor Uzodinma were paid for and the companies hosting the billboards have paid their tax till date and were not notified before this barbaric resort to crude show of force were unleashed.

We are alarmed that the leader of the enforcement team when confronted by some vigilant youths confirmed that the instruction is from government house and threatened to deal decisively with the youths.

This is the first in the history of Imo State that a government will deploy state apparatus to hound down sociocultural and civil society organizations which they perceive as not being pro government.

Recall that in the last one week, the state has witnessed the pillage of over five hundred million (N500,000,000) naira public funds, solely deployed to discredit the Egbu Declaration Anniversary which has held for three consecutive years before the emergence of Gov. Uzodinma without any one raising eyebrows to the sociocultural gathering of the peace loving people of Owerri zone.

As a law-abiding organization, our coalition shall consult our lawyers and seek redress in court over this latest onslaught targeted at the good people of Imo State while assuring Imolites, particularly the people of Owerri zone and lovers of justice and equity across the State, that the struggle for equity, justice and good governance will continue, untill victory is achieved.

No amount of intimidation will stop a movement which time has come!

We call on all stakeholders, especially the good people of Owerri zone to remain calm and law abiding in the face of this highly provocative action by the government.

Our next line of action shall be communicate after due consultation with our lawyers and other stakeholders.

Signed:

Chief Martin Opara KSJI
For: EGBU DECLARATION MANDATE.